Psychology at University of Vermont

University of Vermont's psychology graduates start modestly at $32,674 but experience strong 31% earnings growth to $42,915 by year four—outpacing the typical psychology graduate trajectory. The debt load of $22,958 is manageable, translating to a 0.70 ratio that suggests roughly $1.30 in first-year earnings for every dollar borrowed. While these numbers beat the national median, here's the complication: within Vermont, this program sits at just the 40th percentile, trailing in-state alternatives like Middlebury ($43,839) and Norwich ($41,164).

For Vermont families, this creates an interesting calculation. Your child would pay moderately less than at peer institutions while attending a well-regarded flagship university, but they'd likely earn less initially than graduates from competing Vermont programs. The earnings growth pattern suggests UVM psychology graduates gain traction in their careers over time, potentially closing that gap. The low 13% Pell grant population indicates this student body skews toward families who can absorb moderate debt without crisis.

The bottom line: If you're comparing UVM to out-of-state options or less selective schools, the combination of reasonable debt and solid earnings growth makes sense. But if your child is also considering Middlebury, Norwich, or even Vermont State University (which matches the state median), those programs deliver stronger early earnings that may justify their cost difference. UVM works best here as a value play against national competitors, not Vermont ones.